Softball Returns to East Coast for the Carolina Classic

CAROLINA CLASSIC SCHEDULE
Friday, March 3
at North Carolina | 3 p.m. ET | ACCNx
 
Saturday, March 4
vs. James Madison | 10 a.m. ET
at North Carolina | 3 p.m. ET

Sunday, March 5
vs. James Madison | 11 a.m. ET
 
 
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind.—Purdue softball is set to return to the state of North Carolina for the Carolina Classic, hosted by the North Carolina Tar Heels. Over the weekend, Purdue will face UNC and James Madison for a total of four games, including a pair of Saturday matchups.
 
LAST WEEK LOOK BACK: AT THE KNIGHTS CLASSIC (ORLANDO, FLA.)

• Purdue went 3-2 over the weekend at UCF's Knights Classic.
• Victories included a 8-7 walk-off victory vs. Bradley, which saw Jade Moy, with a full count and the bases loaded in the bottom of the seventh inning, single to center field to score Kate Claypool for the Boilermaker win.
• Six Boilermakers recorded a .333 batting average or better last weekend, led by Kiersen George's .556 avg.
• Purdue totaled six doubles, two triples and a home run while averaging .336 from the plate.
• Purdue out-hit opponents 45-36 and scored more runs (28-18).

 
AMONG THE BIG TEN

• Purdue's defensive success has led to .980 fielding %, not only the best in the Big Ten, but No. 21 in the nation.
• In total, the team ranks among the top-5 in the Big Ten in seven statistical categories, including second in hit by pitch (20), fielding % (.980) and third in batting avg. (.302)
• Kiara Dillon is one of the fastest players in the league with nine stolen bases, which is good for third-most.
• Anna Lonchar ranks 2nd in HBP (7), 5th in OB% (.488), 9th in OPS (1.101), 10th in slugging % (.613).
• Mo Wimpee ranks 6th with an ERA of 1.36 and is 3rd with just four runs allowed.

DOUBLE TROUBLE

• The Boilermakers enter the weekend with at least one double in the last nine consecutive games. They are joined by Penn State as the only two Big Ten teams to own as long of a streak.
• Leading Purdue with four doubles this season is outfielder Kiersen George. Meanwhile, eight total Boilermakers have posted two or more doubles this year.
• Purdue totaled 12 doubles in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge, including four vs. NC State in the team's 4-0 victory (2/18). The last time the Boilermakers have posted as many doubles in a four-game stretch was in 2019.

 
SCOUTING NORTH CAROLINA
Series History: 2-6 (UNC Leads) | Last Meeting: W, 1-0 (2/22/20)

• Leading in batting average is #24 Skyler Brooks (.387) followed by #47 Destiny Middleton (.370) and #29 Abby Settlemyre (.356).
• The leading pitcher with an ERA of 2.03 is #31 Bailey McCachren followed by #99 Lilli Backes (2.95).
• RBI leaders include Abby SettleMyre (10) and Kiersten Licea (10).

 
SCOUTING JAMES MADISON
Series History: First Meeting

• Leading in batting average is #1 Hannah Shifflett (.387) followed by #9 Kylee Gleason (.371) and #14 Hallie Hall (.357).
• The leading pitcher with an ERA of 1.83 is #21 Alissa Humphrey followed by #24 Rebecca Muh (2.66).
• Notably, JMU is 5-0 in their last 5 games.